Mar 29, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) and Calgary Flames forward Joel Farabee (86) battle for a loose puck during the first period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images The vast majority of hockey people would grab Connor McDavid if they could choose one player to build their team around.
Funny enough, when the votes are counted for the Hart Trophy at the conclusion of this season, do not be surprised if the Edmonton Oilers captain is down the list—maybe not even in the top five.
When the regular season reaches the finish line in just over two weeks, the votes must be cast for the player judged most valuable to their team.
With McDavid’s contributions below his usual stratospheric standards, it will be a wide-open race, with plenty of candidates to be honored.
Here is our fantastic four, plus a few others who surely deserve attention.
Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
While McDavid has been limited, Draisaitl has been the engine driving Edmonton’s hopes of returning to the Stanley Cup Final—and this time winning it. In his first game back from injury on Saturday, Draisaitl carried the Oilers to a 3-2 comeback victory over the Flames, scoring both the tying tally late in the third period and then the overtime winner. Draisaitl leads the league in goals (51), game-winning goals (11) and overtime winners (six). Do not be shocked if he wins his second Hart Trophy.
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Mar 25, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his goal in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images This season has been an absolute roller coaster for the Avalanche. Their roster turnover on the fly has been significant, not to mention a variety of injuries and issues that have impacted the lineup. Through it all, MacKinnon has been a dynamo. Last year’s Hart Trophy winner is tied for the league lead in points (109) and tops in assists (79). The Avalanche loaded up at the trade deadline for another Stanley Cup run, but undoubtedly, MacKinnon is the player who leads the charge.
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets center Vladislav Namestnikov (7) takes a shot on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) before a game against the New Jersey Devils at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images The Jets are having a banner season from a variety of players, including Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, but unquestionably the player who puts the “Win” in Winnipeg is Hellebuyck. The favorite for the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender has the league’s best goals-against average (2.01), save percentage (.925) and wins (43) among anybody who has played 20 or more games.
Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
Dec 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) controls the puck against the Florida Panthers in the third period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Kucherov has also won a Hart Trophy before, back in 2019, and merits serious consideration again. The Lightning are not the team they were back in those days, but once again have themselves in the Stanley Cup mix with Kucherov leading the way. He tops the league with 109 points and power-play points (40). This was supposed to be a season the Lightning took a step back, but they are again in the mix for the Atlantic Division title.
The list of candidates for Hart Trophy votes does not end there. Thanks to defenseman Zach Werenski, the Columbus Blue Jackets are in the playoff mix in a season that was supposed to be a struggle and then began in horror with the death of star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother on the eve of the season.
The Washington Capitals are atop the Eastern Conference, in huge part thanks to Alex Ovechkin’s 37 goals and chase for Wayne Gretzky’s career mark.
Look at the Toronto Maple Leafs. They have an outstanding core four of forwards, but Mitch Marner is the most consistent of them all.
In a season that has so many legitimate contenders for the Stanley Cup, it is fitting there are so many contenders for the league’s MVP award.
